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Hammock structural ridgeline length

So I've been looking at lots of pictures of everyone's setup, and noticing that they seem to have a lot less sag than my hammock does, and that got me to wondering how long people have been making their ridgelines. My fabric is 11' and my rl is just over 9'. Does that seem normal? I probably have 3.5' to 4' of deflection from rl to butt.

I know that in the end, it has to be comfortable, and it is, but having that much sag makes it harder for my 8x10 tarp to cover my butt.
And since a picture is worth 1000 words, here's one.

Thanks,
Acer

It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Formerly known as Acercanto, my trail name is MacGuyver to some, and Pucker Factor to others.

It's not procrastinating, its proactively delaying the implementation of the energy-intensive phase of the project until the enthusiasm factor is at its maximum effectiveness. - Randy Glasbergen

sag with structural ridgeline

Sounds like you've identified your variables accurately: rain protection from tarp, ridgeline length (hence hammock sag). You choose. I printed out a paper protractor for some rough measurements of support rope angles when I was calculating forces on main suspension, ridgeline, and hammock ropes, and was surprised to find that my hammock rope angles were greater than 30 degrees (closer to 40). That's probably because I've adjusted my hammock design to let me lie with my feet a bit lower (and different hammocks require different adjustments). My choice in setting up is usually to make the hammock as comfortable as possible. All three parts of my suspension (main suspension, ridgeline, and hammock ropes) are whoopee-adjustable, so if I'm concerned about wind and rain I can raise the hammock by either shortening the hammock ropes or lengthening the ridgeline. I've also devised a way of lowering the tarp, but that's another story.... Good luck. From your picture, it looks like your ridgeline might be adjustable. That's a good place to start. Lengthening it may require shortening your main ropes to the trees.
David

Thanks, WVhm for the response. You're correct, my ridgeline is a whoopie, as well as my suspension, so I guess I need to quit posting and just start hanging. It's just too darn wet out. :-)
I guess I also need to get a move on making my next tarp since the one I have now is only 10' long, which gives me 6" leeway on either end. Hmmm, I guess I could make a shorter hammock... Naah, I've got this one dialed in the way I want it. :-)
I'm mainly curious what other people's hammock fabric to structural ridgeline length ratio is.

Thanks,
Acer

It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Formerly known as Acercanto, my trail name is MacGuyver to some, and Pucker Factor to others.

It's not procrastinating, its proactively delaying the implementation of the energy-intensive phase of the project until the enthusiasm factor is at its maximum effectiveness. - Randy Glasbergen

ENO's are right at 10' long, and the common length used when adding a ridgeline to one is ~100", give or take a couple of inches on each measurement.

That's very close to yours, when you compare the ratio of fabric length to ridgeline length.

“I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy

Bear in mind that the amount of sag (Therefore ridgeline length) can be a very personal choice. The "head room" from my hammock to my ridgeline is about 2', for a similar length hammock Firewalker has about 3' "headroom". I can sleep in his, & vice-versa, but neither of us are really comfortable. So be sure to allow for adjustment, as you may find your sag too much or too little, also, the hammock material will likely stretch & change your sag & you may need to adjust for that too. I think that is why I don't find Hennesy's comfortable at all, the sag is wrong for ME.

When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.

I am in the same boat you are (I've got a gathered end hammock similar to an Eno) and my ridgeline is a scanty 101" long.
My hammock hangs below the bottom edge of my MacCat Deluxe even with the hammock ridgeline right up under the tarp's ridgeline.
I do have a shorter hammock (and an even shorter one - which I did not like and salvaged for parts) and that hammock is not quite as comfy but is entirely contained in the tarp.
I think I'll be switching to a different tarp for nasty weather, just so I can keep my super saggy comfy hang and not have my butt in the breeze, so to speak.
I need to get out to my favorite hanging park with all my gear and do a lot of figuring about my setup.

There was a lengthy thread on this a while back, but the general consensus was that for most people, a ridgeline at 83% the length of the hammock is ideal for comfort. I've found that to be true for me. And, of course, everyone is a little different, so maybe start with that and adjust to fit if you don't find it right for you.

There was a lengthy thread on this a while back, but the general consensus was that for most people, a ridgeline at 83% the length of the hammock is ideal for comfort. I've found that to be true for me. And, of course, everyone is a little different, so maybe start with that and adjust to fit if you don't find it right for you.

Thank you sclittlefield! That was exactly the information I needed!!!!

When figuring this out, would you go 83% of the fabric length, or 83% of the length that the RL will actually be spanning? I'm planning on attaching mine to the cinch buckles on my hammock, and they are probably another 6-9" extended from either end.

Obviously I need to play around and see what's comfortable, just looking for a good starting place. Hammock length or full setup length?

Also, if I remember right, super tight isn't necessary on a RL, correct? Snug, straight, and taut, but not cranked down under tremendous tension, right?

Originally Posted by sclittlefield

There was a lengthy thread on this a while back, but the general consensus was that for most people, a ridgeline at 83% the length of the hammock is ideal for comfort. I've found that to be true for me. And, of course, everyone is a little different, so maybe start with that and adjust to fit if you don't find it right for you.